JMM MLAs meet in Ranchi today

Soren is likely to stake claim to form the next government in Jharkhand even as seven of the independent MLAs of the state have refused to support him.

Chief Minister Madhu Kodas resignation on Saturday, without facing the August 25 floor test, has paved the way for the JMM president to stake his claim to form the new government.

However, it remains unclear whether he will be able to muster the majority mark. Koda submitted his resignation to Governor Syed Sibte Razi after a meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi. “After the turn of events in the last 10-12 days, morally and democratically, I felt I should resign and that is why I handed over my resignation to the Governor,” Koda told reporters. The Governor has asked him to continue till an alternative arrangement is made. The JMM withdrew support to Koda government on August 17. (ANI)